* If you are feeling fine and not sick, you can go to work, school, play outdoors, etc. and continue with your daily routines.
* However, if you are feeling sick or ill, do not come to work and follow the below guidelines:
- Seek US medical care/treatment if you are feeling sick, experiencing fever, cough or difficulty breathing; be sure to call
ahead to the medical clinic to advise them of recent travels and current symptoms.
- Wear a surgical mask or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and
water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Perform routine cleaning of all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace - doorknobs, countertops, desks,
refrigerators, keyboards, remote controls, etc. - with disposable wipes; additional disinfection beyond
routine cleaning is not needed.
- Avoid nonessential travel to Wuhan and China if possible.
- Avoid travel or contact with others while sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
Visit the following sites for the most updated information:
*** USFK Novel Coronavirus 24 hour hotline at BDAACH: 050.3337.2566 (mobile to DSN); 737.2556 (DSN) ***
- USFK Self-Quarantine Frequently Asked Questions (USFK FAQs)
- Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus FAQs (CDC FAQs)
- U.S. Embassy Update
- DoD Novel Coronavirus Resources Site
- Novel Coronavirus Interactive Display Map and Demographics
Archived Updates:
February 20, 2020:
There remains zero confirmed cases of USFK personnel with COVID-19 despite the rise in confirmed South Korean cases to more than 100 patients.
Out of continued abundance of caution and utilizing the USFK Commander's authorities to protect the force, the risk for USFK peninsula-wide personnel and installations remains moderate.
To ensure USFK remains vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19 within USAG-Daegu and Area IV, the following prudent health protection measures are in effect:
All service member mission-essential only travel to/from/around Daegu, and all service member non-mission essential travel to/from Daegu requires GO/FO authorization; this is highly encouraged for all family members, civilians and contractors.
All off-installation travel for all USFK populations should be minimized to reduce potential contamination.
The following Daegu locations are off-limits: Club C (Dong-gu), Searonan Hospital, Queenvell Hotel, Shincheonji Church, Public Health Office (Suseong-gu) and Daegu Medical Center.
The following two Daegu area hospitals are open: Daegu Fatima Hospital (International clinic: 053-940-7524) and Chilgok Kyungpook National University Medical Center (International clinic: 010-4122-2043); please call ahead to discuss your individual circumstances and exposure.
USAG-Daegu and Area IV child development centers and child & youth services activities will remain closed Friday, and a decision regarding next week closures will be made this weekend.
In coordination with Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), USFK has agreed to close all USAG-Daegu and Area IV schools will remain closed Friday, and a decision regarding next week closures will be made this weekend.
Good hygiene practice is the best preventive measure to controlling the spread of viruses. We must protect the force and our community by maintaining our "Fight Tonight" readiness!
February 19, 2020:
Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Daegu, I want to emphasize the care and well-being of our Daegu service members, families and civilians is a top priority of mine. I’ve implemented the following proactive and precautionary measures to ensure USFK remains vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Daegu to protect the force:
All service members who’ve attended the New World Church (Sin Cheon Ji Gyo hoe) since Feb. 9 will undergo a mandatory self-quarantine - and is highly recommended for family members, civilians and contractors - until KCDC completes their contact trace procedures to determine who has been exposed to COVID-19.
All service member's non-essential travel to and from Daegu will be prohibited, and off-installation travel minimized; I highly request all family members, civilians and contractors do likewise regarding their travel as well.
All USAG-Daegu and Area IV schools, child development centers, and child & youth services activities will be closed Thursday, and we will make a decision regarding a Friday closure tomorrow.
All visitors who are not performing mission essential or official business will be denied access to USAG-Daegu and Area IV military installations for the next 24 hours, and this directive will be reassessed every 24 hours.
As a Health Protection measure, I’ve elevated the risk for USFK peninsula-wide personnel and installations to moderate until KCDC completes its contact trace procedures.
Finally, good hygiene practice is the best preventive measure to controlling the spread of viruses. We must protect the force and our community by maintaining our "Fight Tonight" readiness!
USFK Update: February 13, 2020:
The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory to exercise increased caution for Hong Kong and Macau, and that the Republic of Korea added Hong Kong and Macau to its strict quarantine screening list meaning all travelers returning from these countries will undergo enhanced screening upon their return to South Korea; any US servicemember must obtain General Officer approval to travel to Hong Kong.
Additionally, the ROK government has issued a travel advisory for Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan.
USFK reminds all personnel that although additional USFK travel restrictions have not been imposed, travel to any of the above countries carries a risk of exposure to the Coronavirus and travelers should exercise increased precautions. USFK’s travel advisories of not restricting travel to the above mentioned countries follow Indo-Pacific Command and the U.S. Government’s direction.
February 11, 2020:
United States Forces Korea is aware the Republic of Korea has minimized travel to Hong Kong and Macau, starting Feb. 11, 2020. There are no current USFK travel advisories to these locations. USFK’s travel advisories follow Indo-Pacific Command and the U.S. Government’s direction.
From Gen. Robert B. "Abe" Abrams, USFK Commander, February 10, 2020:
The care and well-being of our servicemembers, families and civilians is a top priority of mine. Our Army, Air Force and Navy components are doing a great job of providing the best care possible for those who are in the self-quarantine program.
In particular, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys quickly renovated one of their buildings to accommodate these soldiers, and they are safe and being well taken care of by the installation, leaders and others. All soldiers remain in good health, are monitoring their physical condition and providing their status to their leadership and health care providers daily.
I am extremely grateful that no one in USFK has contracted the novel coronavirus, and am appreciative of the family members and civilians who are also voluntarily following my self-quarantine directive. Remember, good hygiene practice is the best preventive measure to controlling the spread of viruses. We must protect the force and our community by maintaining our "Fight Tonight" readiness!
February 2, 2020:
Following the U.S. Health and Human Services’ announcement of a U.S. public health emergency related to the novel coronavirus outbreak, USFK has instituted a 14-day self-quarantine for U.S. servicemembers returning from mainland China to South Korea on or after Jan. 19, effective Sunday, Feb. 2 at noon.
The directed self-quarantine implementation is mandatory for US servicemembers, regardless if they reside on or off USFK installations, and is highly encouraged for family members, DoD civilians, contractors, United Nation Command military personnel and Korean National employees to follow as well in the interest of public health safety.
The 14-day quarantine, which equals the incubation period for novel coronavirus, begins from the date the individual(s) returns to S. Korea, regardless if they display symptoms or not.
USFK continues to stress that the overall risk to USFK personnel remains low, but that the quarantine measures implemented are out of an abundance of caution to mitigate risk to the USFK population.
February 1, 2020:
As you're aware, the novel coronavirus, originating from mainland China, is spreading globally and shares similar symptoms to the common cold and flu.
Good hygiene practices and minimizing contact with anyone who has returned from mainland China in the past 14 days, and who are exhibiting any cold or flu like symptoms, are the best prevention measures to controlling the spread. If you are feeling cold or flu-like symptoms, please go to a doctor immediately - more importantly, do not go to work or school. Stay at your home or in the barracks while you are recovering.
We must do our best to prevent the spread or it will have a significant impact on our "Fight Tonight" readiness!
We understand your concerns and we are monitoring this situation very closely, around the clock. We currently assess a low threat or risk to our USFK formations and installations. We will keep you informed as the situation develops and if our assessment changes.